Founded in 2005, FIRST Team 1708, known as Amp'd Robotics, emerged as a pioneering force in the Greater Pittsburgh area's competitive robotics landscape. Established with the vision of inspiring a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among local students, Amp'd Robotics has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration. Over the years, the team has actively participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Lego League, engaging students in hands-on robotics challenges that not only enhance technical skills but also instill crucial values such as teamwork, leadership, and gracious professionalism. Amp'd Robotics has become synonymous with excellence, achieving success both on and off the competition field, and leaving an indelible mark on the local STEM education community. Team 1708, Amp'd Robotics, has been on an inspiring journey with the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) programs, marking over a decade of impactful participation. Since its inception, the team has become a dynamic force, not only in robotics competitions but also in fostering a deep-seated commitment to STEM education, community engagement, and inclusivity. This meeting will discuss the metrics of the program; from the schools we encompass to the three different levels of programs we offer along with the skills we are able to teach the students that go through the program. https://www.facebook.com/Team1708AmpdRobotics/ Co-sponsored by: Pittsburrgh Section Computer Society Speaker(s): Derek Price, Jason Mols, Agenda: 6:00 PM Light dinner 6:30 PM Presentation and Tour 8:00 PM Adjourn 1960 Eden Park Blvd, McKeesport, Pennsylvania, United States, 15132

Abstract: The built environment has a data problem. The buildings, cities, water treatment plants, and other human-made systems produce more data now than ever before, opening new possibilities of using data to optimize operation, reduce energy consumption, predict performance, and identify faults. However, the complexity, heterogeneity, and high degree of churn of these systems makes it expensive and difficult to develop software for them. Models, control sequences, data analytics, and other software-based solutions must often be rewritten from scratch for each environment in which they will be deployed. The process of discovering and accessing data is further exacerbated by the lack of standardized structured representations of built environment systems. These challenges significantly impede the adoption of data-driven sustainable practices at societal scale. This talk will explore the use of semantic knowledge graphs to normalize descriptions of the built environment, specifically smart buildings, and reduce the cost of developing and deploying data-driven software in these settings. First, I will describe how ontologies can constrain knowledge graphs to produce useful abstractions of complex cyber-physical systems, as typified by the Brick ontology for smart buildings. Elements of this work are being adapted into new knowledge graph standards for buildings. Next, I will show how knowledge graphs enable novel programming models for "portable software" where programs can adapt their own operation to individual environments, based on queries against the knowledge graph. The talk will also show how these emerging use cases for knowledge graphs contrast with prevailing approaches towards knowledge graph maintenance and management and give rise to new methods for specifying and repairing knowledge graphs. Finally, I will show how these new technologies enable novel applications for smart buildings. Speaker(s): , Dr. Fierro Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/418393

Abstract: The built environment has a data problem. The buildings, cities, water treatment plants, and other human-made systems produce more data now than ever before, opening new possibilities of using data to optimize operation, reduce energy consumption, predict performance, and identify faults. However, the complexity, heterogeneity, and high degree of churn of these systems makes it expensive and difficult to develop software for them. Models, control sequences, data analytics, and other software-based solutions must often be rewritten from scratch for each environment in which they will be deployed. The process of discovering and accessing data is further exacerbated by the lack of standardized structured representations of built environment systems. These challenges significantly impede the adoption of data-driven sustainable practices at societal scale. This talk will explore the use of semantic knowledge graphs to normalize descriptions of the built environment, specifically smart buildings, and reduce the cost of developing and deploying data-driven software in these settings. First, I will describe how ontologies can constrain knowledge graphs to produce useful abstractions of complex cyber-physical systems, as typified by the Brick ontology for smart buildings. Elements of this work are being adapted into new knowledge graph standards for buildings. Next, I will show how knowledge graphs enable novel programming models for "portable software" where programs can adapt their own operation to individual environments, based on queries against the knowledge graph. The talk will also show how these emerging use cases for knowledge graphs contrast with prevailing approaches towards knowledge graph maintenance and management and give rise to new methods for specifying and repairing knowledge graphs. Finally, I will show how these new technologies enable novel applications for smart buildings. Speaker(s): , Dr. Fierro Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/418393

This is the May meeting of the IEEE Northern Virginia Section Executive Committee. Room: Longfellow Room, Bldg: Suite 3, Westover Library, 1644 North McKinley Road, Arlington, Virginia, United States, 22203, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/418789

Connect with like-minded professionals and broaden your network! Join us at the World Forum on Public Safety Technology (https://ieee-wfpst.org) to mingle with fellow Young Professionals from Northern Virginia and beyond. Enjoy delicious hors d'oeuvres and your first drink is complimentary! Don't miss out on this opportunity to expand both your professional and social circles. Co-sponsored by: World Forum on Public Safety Technology Conference Room: Follow signage in the hotel lobby to WF-PST, Bldg: Hyatt Regency Dulles, 2300 Dulles Corner Blvd, Herndon, Virginia, United States

Meetings of the Administrative Committee are held virtually. Members are welcome to attend. Reserve your place by registering online or calling the office by the Monday before. Agenda: AdCom Meeting: 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/409212

Meetings of the Administrative Committee are held virtually. Members are welcome to attend. Reserve your place by registering online or calling the office by the Monday before. Agenda: AdCom Meeting: 7:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/409212